Accessory for drums



United States Patent [72] Inventor Thomas R. La Flame 426 Union Ave., Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15205 [21] Appl. No. 773,412 [22] Filed Nov. 5, 1968 [45] Patented Dec. 1, 1970 [54] ACCESSORY FOR DRUMS 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs. [52] U.S. Cl 84/453, 84/422 [51] Int. Cl G10g7/00 [50] Field of Search 84/411, 422, 421, 280, 281, 453 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 915,345 3/1909 Gould 84/280 2,505,882 5/1950 Cassato 8 /42l 3,096,677 7/1963 Ryan 84/421 FOREIGN PATENTS 590,494 1925 France 84/421 566,492 1932 Germany 84/280 Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examinerlohn F. Gonzales Attorney-Brown, Murray, Flick and Peckham ABSTRACT: Described is a new and improved system for preventing gradual movement of a foot-operated musical in strument, such as a bass drum or high-hat cymbal, away from the musician playing the instrument because of repeated strokes on a pedal actuating the instrument. This means preferably comprises a chain device or the like secured to the pedal of the instrument and to a stool on which the musician sits.

' Patented Dec. 1,1970 .6

Sheet l o! 3 INVENTOR. Thomas R. LaFIamo ATTORNEYS Sheet INVENTOR. Thomas R. LaFIame Mick-aways Patented "De c. 1, 1979 3,543,632

Sheet 3 of3 Fig. 5

INVENTOR. Thomas R. LaFIame ATTORNEYS ACCESSORY FOR DRUMS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION While not necessarily limited thereto, the present invention is particularly adapted for use with bass drums and high-hat cymbals. Such instruments are foot-operated; and as every drummer knows, there is tendency for the bass drum and highhat cymbal to walk away due to repeated strokes of the pedals actuating these instruments. The problem is particularly acute in cases where the instruments are resting on a smooth floor surface as contrasted with a carpeted surface.

In an effort to overcome this problem, various arrangements have been devised to connect the bass drum and high-hat cymbal to the drummers stool, the idea being that the weight of the drummer will prevent the relatively light instruments from walking away. Previous to this invention, however, such devices have been complicated, cumbersome and not altogether satisfactory, one reason being that they do not afford an easy means for positioning the instruments with respect to the stool such that the musician can perform in a comfortable, relaxed position. For example, one such'device comprises a platform to which the bass drum and high-hat cymbal are secured, and on which the drummers stool is positioned. The difficulty with this scheme, however, is that the platform is difficult to transport and position, particularly where space is limited. Other devices have been provided for physically connecting the pedals to the drummers stool; however most of these have been complicated and do not afford easy adjustment ofthe instrument with respect to the stool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION As an overall object, the present invention seeks to provide new and improved means for preventing gradual movement of foot-operated musical instruments away from the musician playing the instrument, which improved means incorporates flexible connecting means between the foot pedal of the instrument and a stool on which the musician sits.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the type described comprising a chain connected to a leg of a musicians stool and to the pedal of a foot-operated musical instrument.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means for preventing gradual movement of foot-operated musical instruments comprising a chain having its midpoint connected to a musicians stool and its opposite ends connected to adapters which may fit under the pedals of foot-operated musical instruments and capable of preventing movement of the instrument away from the stool without actually being physically connected to the pedals. In this manner, the device can be applied to any typeof pedal-operated musical instrument without altering the pedal itself.

In accordance with the invention, a chain device or the like is connected at one end to the leg of a musicians stool and at its other end to-the pedal of a foot-operated musical instrument. In the usual case, the device will be utilized for both a bass drum, or possibly two bass drums, and a high-hat cymbal. In this case, a plurality of lengths of chain is preferably used, each length being connected at one end to the leg of a musicians stool and at the other end to a foot pedal. As will be seen, this insures against movement of the instruments; but at the same time provides flexibility in positioning the instruments for a particular musician's needs.

Further, in accordance with the invention, the aforesaid chains are connected to adapters which flt under the pedals of foot-operated musical instruments and are provided with means for engaging the instrument or pedal to prevent it from walking away. In this manner, no actual physical connection need be made between the pedal and the chain or chains; and the system becomes more or less universal in that it can be used for various types and designs of foot pedals.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection-with the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which:

FIG. I is an isometric view of one embodiment of the invention wherein chain devices are connected at one end to the leg of a drummers stool and at their other ends to the heel plates of the pedals for a bass drum and high-hat cymbal, respectivey;

FIG. 2 is an isometric view of another embodiment ofthe invention similar to that of FIG. I but employing a spacer between the chain devices;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of still another embodiment of the invention employing three chain devices for two bass drums and a high-hat cymbal;

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a universal adapter for connecting the chain devices of the invention to any type of bass drum or high-hat cymbal pedal;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view showing the manner in which the adapter of FIG. 4 is applied to a bass drum pedal; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the manner in which the adapter of FIG. 4 is applied to a highhat cymbal.

With reference now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. l, the assembly shown includes a drummers stool It) having three legs l2, l4 and 16. Secured to the bottom of leg 16 is an adapter 18 which surrounds the leg and has a flange 20 provided with an opening at its forward end to receive two chains 22 and 24. In actual practice, the chains 22 and 24 may comprise a single length of chain or may comprise separate chains which are hooked to the opening in the flange 20.

The end of the chain 22 opposite flange 20 is connected to an eyelet 26 threadedly received in the heel plate 28 of the pedal 30 of a high-hat cymbal assembly supported on a tripod leg assembly including legs 34, 36 and 38. In a similar manner, the end of the chain 24 opposite the flange 20 is connected to an eyelet 40 secured to a heel plate 44 for a bass drum pedal 46. The plate 44, in turn, is clamped to the counter rim 48 ofa bass drum, generally indicated at 50.

With the arrangement shown, the weight of the drummer on stool 10 will prevent either the bass drum 56 or the high-hat cymbal assembly 32 from walking away from the stool, even on smooth floor surfaces. However, at the same time, the chains 22 and 24 permit a degree of flexibility such that the drummer can position the bass drum and high-hat cymbal assembly at locations to suit his requirements and afford a comfortable playing position.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, elements which correspond to those shown in FIG. I are identified by like reference numerals. In this case, however, a spacer bar 52 is provided between the chains 22 and 24, thereby affording a different spacing arrangement between the bass drum and high-hat cymbal than is the case with the embodiment of FIG. I. Here, again, the chains afford a wide latitude in positioning the bass drum and high-hat cymbal to enable a comfortable playing position.

In the embodiment of FIG. 3, elements corresponding to those shown in FIG. 1 are again identified by like reference numerals. In this case, a second bass drum 54 is provided having an operating pedal 56 provided with a heel plate 58. Threaded into the heel plate 58 is an eyelet 60 which is connected to one end of a third chain 62. The other end of the chain 62 is connected to the flange 20 along with chains 22 and 24.

With reference now to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, a universal adapter is shown which requires no physical connection of the chains 22 and 24 to the high-hat cymbal or bass drum pedals. In this case, the end of the chain 24, for example, is connected to an adapter comprising a flat plate 64 having upwardly-extending flanges 66 at its rear end which straddle the heel plate 65 (FIG. 5) of the pedal 72 for a bass drum. At the forward end of the plate 64 is an upwardly-extending flange 68 which abuts against the ends of feet 69 (FIG. 5) at the forward end of a base plate 70 for the bass drum pedal 72. The feet 69 slip under the counter rim 74 carried on the shell 76 of bass drum 77 and are held in engagement with the counter rim by means of clamp 71. Thus, the plate 64, which is connected to the chain 24, can be slipped underneath the base plate 70 of the pedal assembly until the flange 68 abuts the ends of feet 69.

t 3 Since the base plate 70 is clamped to the rim 74 and the plate 64 secured to the drummers stool by chain 24, the drum cannot walk away from the stool. Alternatively, the flange 68 could be positioned in abutment with the flesh hoop 73 of the drum 77 with equal effectiveness.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, most high-hat cymbal assemblies include the three legs 34, 36 and 38 having braces 78 pivotally connected thereto. The braces 78, at their lower ends, are pivotally connected to an element 80 which normally rests on the floor surface, or slightly above, when the legs 34-38 are extended. The adapter 82 connected to the end of the chain 22 again comprises a plate having flanges 84 which, when positioned under the pedal 85 for the high-hat cymbal, are on either side of the heel plate 87 for the pedal (FIG. 6), The forward end of the plate 82 is provided with flanges 86, disposed at an angle with respect to each other, which engage the member 80 of the high-hat cymbal assembly. In this manner, engagement of flanges 86 with the member 80 will prevent movement of the high-hat cymbal assembly away from the drummers stool 10.

Although the invention has been shown in connection with certain specific embodiments, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and arrangement of parts may be made to suit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

IClaim:

I. For use with at least two foot-operated musical instruments and a stool for a musician, the combination of a pair of pedal means for operating the respective musical instruments, 3. pair of plate devices each having upwardly-extending portions adapted to engage a vertical portion of an associated one of said pedal means, and a pair of flexible chainlike devices for securing said plate devices to a single floor-engaging element of said stool whereby the stool may be selectively positioned with respect to said pedal means while said chainlike devices and said plate devices will prevent movement of said instruments away from said stool.

2. The combination of claim I wherein said musical instruments comprise a bass drum and a high-hat cymbal.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said chainlike devices are secured to the bottom of a leg of said stool.

'4. The combination of claim 1 wherein said upwardly-extending portions are at the forward ends of said plate devices, and including flange means at the rear of said plate devices between which the heel plates of said pedal means are positioned. 

